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Emsam Drug Interactions
When drugs such as cold medications, stimulants, and caffeine are taken together with Emsam, drug interactions can potentially occur. Some of these drug interactions with Emsam can increase your risk of dangerous side effects, such as dangerously high blood pressure or seizures. Because there are so many prescription and over-the-counter medicines that can cause drug interactions with Emsam, you should be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any Emsam interactions that may apply to you.
An Introduction to Emsam Drug Interactions
Emsam® (selegiline transdermal patch) can potentially interact with many other medicines. Because there are so many Emsam drug interactions that can be very dangerous, it is important to check with your healthcare provider before taking any other medication -- whether prescription or over-the-counter -- while you are taking Emsam.
Make sure to tell all of your healthcare providers (including dentists and surgeons) that you are taking Emsam. Some of the medicines that may lead to Emsam interactions include:
- Apraclonidine eye drops (Iopidine®)
- Atomoxetine (Strattera®)
- Brimonidine eye drops (Alphagan P®)
- Buspirone (BuSpar®)
- Caffeine
- Carbamazepine (Tegretol®, Tegretol XR®)
- Cough, cold, and allergy products, such as:
- Dextromethorphan (Robitussin DM® and many others)
- Naphazoline (various nasal and eye drops, such as Visine-A®)
- Oxymetazoline (various nasal and eye drops, such as Afrin®)
- Phenylephrine (Sudafed PE® and many others)
- Propylhexedrine (Benzedrex®)
- Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed® and many others)
- Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®)
- Meperidine (Demerol®)
- Methadone (Dolophine®, Methadose®)
- Miscellaneous antidepressants, such as:
- Bupropion (Aplenzin™, Budeprion XL®, Budeprion™ SR, Buproban®, Forfivo™ XL, Wellbutrin SR®, Wellbutrin XL®, Wellbutrin®, Zyban®)
- Mirtazapine (Remeron®)
- Nefazodone (Serzone®)
- Trazodone (Desyrel®) or trazodone ER (Oleptro™)
- Vilazodone (Viibryd™)
- Other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including:
- Isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
- Phenelzine (Nardil®)
- Rasagiline (Azilect®)
- Other selegiline products (Eldepryl®, Zelapar®)
- Tranylcypromine (Parnate®)
- Narcotics, such as codeine, hydrocodone, morphine, and many others
- Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal®)
- Propoxyphene (Darvon®, Darvocet®, Balacet®)
- Pressors, including:
- Dopamine
- Ephedrine
- Epinephrine (Adrenalin®, EpiPen®)
- Isometheptene (Duradrin®, Midrin®, Migquin®, Migratine®, Migrazone®, Migrin-A®)
- Levonordefrin (Carbocaine with Neo-Cobefrin®)
- Midodrine (Orvaten®, ProAmatine®)
- Norepinephrine (Levophed®)
- Sibutramine (Meridia®)
- SSRI or SNRI medications, including:
- Citalopram (Celexa®)
- Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq™)
- Duloxetine (Cymbalta®)
- Escitalopram (Lexapro®)
- Fluoxetine (Prozac®, Sarafem®, Selfemra™)
- Fluvoxamine (Luvox®, Luvox CR®)
- Milnacipran (Savella™)
- Paroxetine (Paxil®, Paxil CR®, Pexeva®)
- Sertraline (Zoloft®)
- Venlafaxine (Effexor®, Effexor XR®)
- Stimulants, such as:
- Amphetamine and dextroamphetamine (Adderall®, Adderall XR®)
- Benzphetamine (Didrex®)
- Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin®, Focalin XR®)
- Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine®, Dexedrine Spansules®)
- Methamphetamine (Desoxyn®)
- Methylphenidate (Concerta®, Daytrana®, Metadate CD®, Metadate ER®, Methylin®, Ritalin®, Ritalin LA®, Ritalin SR®)
- Phentermine (Adipex-P®, Ionamin®)
- St. John's wort
- Tramadol (Rybix™ ODT, Ryzolt®, Ultram®, Ultram® ER) or tramadol/acetaminophen (Ultracet®)
- Tricyclic antidepressants, including:
- Amitriptyline (Elavil®)
- Amitriptyline and chlordiazepoxide (Limbitrol®)
- Amitriptyline and perphenazine (Etrafon®)
- Amoxapine (Asendin®)
- Clomipramine (Anafranil®)
- Desipramine (Norpramin®)
- Doxepin (Sinequan®, Silenor®)
- Imipramine (Tofranil®)
- Maprotiline (Ludiomil®)
- Nortriptyline (Pamelor®)
- Protriptyline (Vivactil®)
- Trimipramine (Surmontil®).
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD